Nutritive values of fruits and seeds usually eaten raw in Nigeria
Akaninwor, J.O.; Arachie, S.N.
Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management 6(2): 77-78
2002
Document Number: 259960
The nutritive values of some fruits and seeds usually eaten raw in Nigeria have been studied. These include avocado pear (Persea americana), pawpaw (Garcine papaya), banana (Musa sapientum [M. paradisiaca]), coconut (Cosos nucifera), bitter kola (Garcine kola), black tamarind (Dalilium guineensis), mango (Mangifera indica) and garden egg (Solanum melongena). The fruits showed appreciable amounts of moisture; pawpaw (80.24+or-4.20%), garden egg (73.46+or-3.15%), banana (68.84+or-3.14%) and avocado pear (66.36+or-3.20) in decreasing content. Only avocado and coconut had high fat content with values of 30.27+or-1.20% and 18.05+or-2.50% respectively on a dry weight basis. The protein content of all the fruits and seeds were not high; the highest value of 3.00+or-0.21% was obtained for coconut. Appreciable amounts of calcium and vitamins C (13.80+or-210% and 7.19+or-0.14%) respectively have been obtained from fruit some of the seeds. The carbohydrate content (expressed as glucose) of the fruits and seeds also gave values ranging from 2.97+or-0.02% to 4.00+or-0.10%. The results show that thee fruits and seeds eaten raw are good sources of essential nutrients particularly Vitamin C which is destroyed by high temperature during preparation.